The year I was diagnosed, I had more distinct episodes, I went up gradually several months and went down overnight which lasted about 5 weeks then went way up again for about 3 months and crashed overnight way down. I think there were some dips in the first mania but nothing like the actual depressions and nothing like the second depression that lasted 7 months despite medications. Over the last 7 years the episodes have changed and start dysphoric manic then start to go down and get blanketed with major amounts of anxiety. Like putting gasoline on a fire.